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Western Canada has no shortage of stories on all kinds of entertainment.

Within these pages, search out your favourite destination, or search for things to do based on your interest, such as music. @FestivalSeekers, we’ve produced many stories guaranteed to ignite your passion to explore music, food, arts and cultural experiences.

So everyone thought Kevin Costner was crazy, plowing over his cornfield to build a baseball park. Sharing that “build it and they will come spirit,” runs deep in the Cariboo Chilcotin. All that is missing is you; jump into history, saddle up, prepare to soar, and spin your wheels.

It’s summer and that means you have to dust off the cowboy boots and get ready to do some two-stepping at country music festivals. Where? All over British Columbia and Alberta you are going to find some of the best acts on tour. Here’s our list of top Country Music Festivals for 2017.

So everyone thought Kevin Costner was crazy, plowing over his cornfield to build a baseball park. Sharing that “build it and they will come spirit,” runs deep in the Cariboo Chilcotin. All that is missing is you; jump into history, saddle up, prepare to soar, and spin your wheels.

Dust, horses and the faint smell of fresh manure bring me back to childhood in rural Alberta. Big cities and professional tours draw broader public attention these days but there’s something about the small town rodeos - like the Boyle Rodeo in Boyle, AB. - that gets me, even though I never really tried my hand at roping, riding or rustling.

Sam Steele Days, held the third week of June, certainly has something for everyone - and then some. So mark your calendar for next year for a festival that is a mashup celebration of history, sports, arts and culture.

Event update: Postponed
Due to the current forest fire and projected weather of wind and hot weather, the 5th annual Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo, scheduled for Sept. 9, 2017 will not be held. It will return on Sept. 8, 2018.

Like most forms of art, chalking can be very messy. The pastel colours get on your hands, on your clothes, on your face and in your hair. Medicine Hat native and local artisan Kristine Ens doesn’t mind though. For her, the messiness of “chalking” is what she loves about the medium.

I rolled into Horsefly, B.C. on a sunny Sunday afternoon, passing the General Store and parking at the Community Hall, after about 50 minutes on the road from Williams Lake. Across the street, crowds were gathering at the firehall for a pancake breakfast. The sweet aroma of maple syrup wafted across town. I met up with Brandon Hoffman, artistic director of the Arts on the Fly festival who would be my guide for the day. #ExploreCariboo

I steadied myself, held my breath and unholstered my camera. Moments later, a dozen horses thundered past. Before I could breathe again, chunks of dirt and mud rained from the sky – debris kicked up by the galloping horses. Most fell around me, but some landed on my shoulders, exploding into dust.

This is a tale of two types of horsepower: My four-legged horse, General, and Phil Pogue’s 1937 Dodge Rumble Seat Coupe – with the power of about 245 horses – in 100 Mile House, BC. Both were fun to ride (I got the rumble seat in the coupe) and both showcased the Cariboo region, past and present. #ExploreCariboo